Seed Forcing - J. Halverson

[George R Stilwell, Jr.]

I plant Arisaema seed as soon as I receive it.  Harvested seed
is cleaned and dried and planted sooner or later (from triphyllum) but
not stored in the refreigerator.  Whatever planting mix handy is used
and many sprout within a few weeks.  They go die back within several
months and then I store them in the refrigerator in damp sphagnum for a
few months.  Last year, though, some were carelessly left in their pots
and not watered.  When planting the corms stored in the fridge, I
emptied these pots as well.  The corms were fine and many have since
sprouted.

I have been reluctant to test the hardiness here in zone 5a
Wisconsin so almost all have gone through their dormancies indoors.  All
mine are still young plants.  With the info I have found from the
Arisaema page I may try some outdoors in a protected, mulched area next
winter.

One plant of A. sikokianum just finished blooming--3 years after
I got the seed but probably 4-5 periods of growing & dormancy.
Good luck!
Jean Halverson
Dodgeville, Wi.




Ray
GRSJr at Juno.com